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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." But He answered and said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?" But He said to them, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said, "Five, and two fish." Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. Now those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.

- Mark 6:30-46

In yesterday's reading, we learned about Herod. Herod heard of Jesus and the great power expressed in His ministry. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore
these powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And
others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." But when
Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of
John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother
Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Therefore
Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he
protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him
gladly. Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for
his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when
Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and
those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you
want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you
ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and
said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John
the Baptist." Immediately she came in with haste to the king and
asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the
Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because
of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to
refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his
head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his
head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her
mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his
corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. We remember that in Tuesday's reading, we read that Jesus sent out the Twelve two by two, on their first mission. My study bible says, "The word apostle (meaning 'one who is sent,' a messenger) is used frequently in the epistles but is rare in the gospels. It designates an official representative authorized to carry out a specific mission."

And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and
rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not
even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat
by themselves. A note here reads, "Jesus gives the disciples time to rest a while. they have just returned from a demanding assignment -- preaching, healing and casting out demons -- and it is time for solitude." Mark's gospel constantly speaks of Jesus' action of going to and fro on a boat in His ministry, across the Sea of Galilee. He has been in Gentile territory, and back among the throngs of people who follow His ministry in Jewish territory. Here, He gathers His disciples and takes them in a boat for rest, to a deserted place. It's an important note to us, as well, about what God may expect of us, always knowing we need and must have time for rest and reflection and prayer.

But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there
on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together
to Him. And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was
moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a
shepherd. So He began to teach them many things. Here the people are so intent on following Jesus that they run on foot toward where He has headed in the boat with the disciples. I think the key phrase of Jesus being moved with compassion tells us so much about His character, and it is a personal characteristic that we will find repeated in the Gospels. His intention was different, to take His disciples apart by themselves, to talk and to rest and to discuss what they've so recently completed. But He is moved with compassion; the crowds are "like sheep not having a shepherd." They are lost and need guidance. What is most striking here is that the first thing they need, the need He fills first, is their need for teaching. And so this first thing He feeds them is to "teach them many things." This is how He responds with compassion.

When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said,
"This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them
away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy
themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat." But He answered and
said to them, "You give them something to eat." And they said to Him, "Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of
bread and give them something to eat?" But He said to them, "How many
loaves do you have? Go and see." And when they found out they said,
"Five, and two fish." Then He commanded them to make them all sit down
in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds
and in fifties. And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish,
He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to
His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them
all. So they all ate and were filled. My study bible says, "The feeding of the multitudes is both a messianic sign and an image of the Eucharist. Jesus' sustenance is never exhausted, just as His eucharistic body, multiplied and distributed, is 'ever eaten and never consumed, sanctifying those who partake' (from the Divine Liturgy)." It also adds here: "The disciples learn a great lesson here: whatever they have is enough to feed the people, whether physically or spiritually. God can multiply our resources so that everyone can be filled. But we must participate in His grace: Christ, along with the Father, blesses the loaves, but the disciples distribute them." This is an image of the Eucharist to come in the Church.

And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. Now
those who had eaten the loaves were about five thousand men. The twelve baskets give us one for each apostle: there is food for the future, for the distribution they will take to the world. According to cultural custom, only the approximate number of men is given here, but there were also women and children present. This is an event that includes everyone.

Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to
the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. And
when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray. Jesus still finds time for rest and prayer, and time apart. He goes alone to be with His Father, for His own rest, on the mountain. Let us not forget His example, and what the Gospels teach us about true rest. Perhaps the great use of power is coordinated with depth of prayer for a reason, as an expression of how we too must dwell within grace for our lives.

I'm always intrigued by Jesus' command to the disciples: "You give them something to eat." He is challenging them to go further in discipleship, to learn more from Him, and it is also an occasion for grace to be further revealed among them in the feeding of the five thousand. What I especially seem to struck by today is the power that comes through that feeding. We've been reviewing notions of power, and contrasted earthly and holy power, in the recent readings. We've understood Jesus' power to be released through faith, making a connection in us. So here we have a true expression of community in its fullness, in a foreshadowing of the Eucharist. Five thousand men and many more women and children make a full community. They have followed Jesus to this place because they are "like sheep not having a shepherd," full of great need, especially for guidance, teaching. This type of devotion suggests to us a corporate faith, the faith of a multitude that has run after Him. They eagerly stay until late, without food, for His many teachings. So again we can read into this expression of manifold grace and its abundance a kind of abundance of faith that makes it possible for His power to be expressed in such a way. And we learn once again about grace and power, the expression of the energies of God among us. Jesus challenges the disciples to meet the situation with faith as well, to make do with what is at hand. While I can't say I've experienced miracles on this scale, I can suggest that there have been many times in my life when I feel that there simply isn't enough, or rather there are too many obstacles in the way for me to achieve something I think God wants me to do. But a gentle and persistent faith, keeping in mind prayer and God's presence, has opened up ways I didn't see with whatever is truly at hand. These are not great miracles, like the feeding of the five thousand here, but they are experiences that have taught me repeatedly the lesson involved. "You give them something to eat" is a great challenge, a prodding, the power of faith invested in something in order to go forward and find a way. Christ gives us gentle nudges, and trust in His faith takes us forward in ways we can't anticipate. At the end of John's gospel, Jesus tells Peter, "Feed my lambs." There will always be something at hand, wherever we start.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

- Mark 6:13-29

In yesterday's reading, Jesus went to His hometown of Nazareth. There He went and preached in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them. Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, "John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him." Others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is the Prophet, or like one of the prophets." My study bible notes here that Herod is Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great and governor of Galilee, "called a king in popular language." Jesus' fame has reached a place in His Galilean ministry where those who work for the power of Rome have heard of Him. They govern the land. We hear here the things that others are saying about Jesus, and the kind of power He exhibits. Up through recent readings we have been taught about this power and how it works or does not (depending on faith), and how it has now been shared with and through the Apostles (see yesterday's reading).

But when Herod heard, he said, "This is John, whom I beheaded; he has
been raised from the dead!" For Herod himself had sent and laid hold
of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother
Philip's wife; for he had married her. Because John had said to Herod,
"It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." Therefore
Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;
for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he
protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him
gladly. Mark gives us a flashback, a reason for Herod's great fear that John the Baptist may have returned from the dead. We see the circumstances of John's imprisonment. He has condemned the marriage of Herod and Herodias. But Herod himself knows John to be the holy man that he truly is, and "when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly." So we see a contrast in power: the state power as used by Herod Antipas because of the things John said against his marriage, and the power of John's holiness, which is also to some extent understood by Herod, and fascinates him. My study bible says that early Christians regarded John the Baptist with utmost esteem, and John's faith and zeal are made clear by Mark in this powerful testimony to John's fearlessness in telling the truth. It adds that the fact that the king feared John tells us something about John's righteousness. "The royally clad Herod was frightened of a man clothed in camel's hair, a servant of God who lived out in the desert."

Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for
his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. And when
Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and
those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, "Ask me whatever you
want, and I will give it to you." He also swore to her, "Whatever you
ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom." So she went out and
said to her mother, "What shall I ask?" And she said, "The head of John
the Baptist." Immediately she came in with haste to the king and
asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the
Baptist on a platter." We see the cast of characters play out as given us by Mark. There is the king who actually fears and is fascinated by the holiness of John. But these two women tell us about the nature of worldly power; it is there simply to be exploited for furtherance of their own dreams and goals. The holy power of John is contrasted in his righteousness, and his desire for the glory of God. There's also a perverseness here to the role of mother and daughter; the daughter relies on her mother for guidance. What is this maternal place reserved for here? We contrast that to Mary, the Mother of Christ. The daughter completely relies on her mother, as if she has no mind of her own, and is essentially exploited in return as if she is simply an extension of her mother, in furtherance of her mother's aims. Again, the Gospel shows us the contrast between the power that comes of the holy, rooted in righteousness, and the worldly power that "lords it over" others.

And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and
because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be
brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, brought his head on a
platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and
laid it in a tomb. Herod is "exceedingly sorry" but again the rules of worldly power come into play. Every great person in his kingdom is there, and he has made this oath in front of all of them. To be seen to back down in this context would be seen to be "weak" somehow -- in contrast to the true righteousness of repentance that cares for the opinion of God over the opinion of men. So John the Baptist becomes a martyr, adding to his stature in the eyes of the early Christians. This gruesome scene, of the "obedient"girl handing a present to her mother of John's head on a platter, teaches us about the levels of corruption in this particular expression of worldly power. In contrast, Mark's gospel gives us the righteous response of John's disciples. There is no clamor here for revenge or plotting or expression of violence, but of peace. They take his corpse and lay it in a tomb.

So the Gospels -- here, through Mark's testimony -- give us the message about power. What is worldly power, and what is holy power? How is it contrasted with the power we've seen so far in Christ, the one who comes to uplift us from the afflictions of the strong man? First of all, holy power is characterized by righteousness, a life lived for the glory of God, not simply for our own aggrandizement. And there is the start of something for us to understand. If God is love, as we are told in Scripture, then to glorify God is to glorify the source of love. In faith, we trust in that Someone, and so we go back also to a relationship of love. We trust that what God calls upon us to do is for the greater glory, the betterment, what is truly good for all. And this is the relationship, the nature of the sacrifice, whatever it is, that we may be called upon to make in our own lives. We see John the Baptist's great sacrifice in today's reading, made after a lifetime of the sacrifices of a holy man who lives for God and God's message of the coming Kingdom found in Christ. Up until today's reading, in the past several readings, Mark's gospel has given us several examples of this divine power, where it works and where it doesn't work (among those neighbors who resent Him in yesterday's reading, for example), how it works through sharing it with others (the Apostles on their first mission in yesterday's reading). We know what this "stronger man," Jesus, comes here to liberate us from and how He does that, through countless examples of healing and casting out demons, lifting affliction and oppression of all kinds. And in today's reading we have the example by contrast of worldly power that exploits and uses and manipulates and is subservient to the opinions of man rather than that of God. And so, we learn, through contrast, what not to be. We learn who we are to follow. The Scriptures teach us all these things. So let us think about power and what it is for and how it is used. One power comes "of the world" and another "of God." Which do you honor in your heart? Which uses fear and exploits, and which serves love?

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Then He went out from there and came to his own country, and His disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, "In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.

- Mark 6:1-13

In yesterday's reading, first the ruler of the synagogue, Jairus, came to Him as the crowds thronged Jesus. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly,
saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay
Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus
went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. As they walked, a woman with a bloodflow of twelve years was in the crowd; the Gospel tells us she suffered many things from physicians and had spent all her money on treatment, only to grow worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched
His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall
be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and
she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus,
immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned
around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His
disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You
say, 'Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done
this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had
happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole
truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go
in peace, and be healed of your affliction." Even as He spoke, servants came from Jairus' house to tell him that his daughter had died. But Jesus told him, "Do not be afraid, only believe." And He permitted no one to follow Him
except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to
the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who
wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, "Why make
this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And
they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the
father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and
entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand,
and she said to her, "Tabitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl,
I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of
age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded
them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should
be given her to eat.

Then He went out from there and came to his own country, and His
disciples followed Him. And when the Sabbath had come, He began to
teach in the synagogue. Jesus is in His hometown of Nazareth, where He grew up, and is preaching now among His neighbors and those who knew Him.

And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, "Where did this Man get
these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such
mighty works are performed by His hands! Is this not the carpenter, the
Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are
not His sisters here with us?" So they were offended at Him. My study bible has a long note here, which I will quote partially. "Jesus' teaching, wisdom, and miracles do not overcome the disbelief of those in His hometown. The people see Him as one of them, the carpenter they know. They are offended because they can do none of His works, and they are unwilling to accept a far greater role and dignity for Him. In Scripture the words brothers and sisters can refer to stepbrothers and stepsisters, as well as other relatives."

But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his
own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Now He
could do not mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few
sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their
unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching. My study bible notes, "Jealousy affects faith. Every person could have been restored. But in the absence of faith, Jesus does not release the divine power which is always His." It's kind of remarkable that this happens among the people who know Him best. But really, it teaches us something about human nature. We want to see what we want to see, what we're used to. Prophecy -- as Jesus notes the lot of a prophet -- is something that calls us to attention, points out something we're missing, perhaps it is "the elephant in the room" nobody wants to see. Jesus' revelation is in the nature of the spectacular, even to those who have only known His ministry. But here, those who know Him only as the carpenter and relative of the family members who are there with them cannot open their eyes; indeed, they are offended at His change in status and identity in the revelation of His ministry.

And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. My study bible says, "This is the first time the twelve are sent out, as it were, on a training mission, preparing them for taking the gospel to the ends of the earth. They go two by two for mutual support." What's quite interesting to me is the investment of His power within them. The Kingdom is growing; Christ's power is shared with His disciples. While His power and capacities have just been resented in His hometown, the action of the Kingdom is simply growing and spreading. We are reminded again of the parable of the mustard seed.

He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff -- no
bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts -- but to wear sandals,
and not to put on two tunics. Also He said to them, "In whatever place
you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place." The actions with which they are to prepare and go upon their journey all tell us about humility. Jesus doesn't want this to be a forceful takeover kind of a mission! This is the Kingdom of peace, where willing hearts in faith create the ground for its existence and work. Not to depart from the first place where they are welcomed to stay in a home indicates that they are not to "trade up" to better accommodations, but remain with those who open their doors to them first, however humble. This is, in some sense, the key to the kingdom.

"And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from
there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.
Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and
Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!" My study bible notes here: "Shake off the dust is a symbolic gesture of judgement." While nothing happens forcefully, but willingly and through the humility of the Twelve, we understand this to be the work of the Spirit, where the Kingdom is expressed to others and they are invited in via its Gospel message. Judgment is the purview of the Lord; Jesus doesn't refer to a judgment by the Apostles, but to the Judgment that is to come at the end of the age, by the Knower-of-hearts. Shaking the dust from their feet is a testimony by the Apostles to a rejection of grace.So they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast
out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed
them. Repentance is also connected to judgment; we just don't know what true change of mind people will have throughout their lives. We don't know what true works of faith may come from repentance. This is why we understand so carefully that true judgment is in the hands of a loving God, who knows us more intimately than anyone else can, than we even know ourselves. My study bible notes: "Preaching is an earnest proclamation, and this present proclamation of the need for repentance is momentous. This is the first time the Twelve perform miracles. God gives His power, His energy, to human beings and through human beings -- to and through those who repent. He shares with us by grace what is His by nature. The disciples anointed with oil as part of the act of healing, for by the Incarnation of Christ creation is renewed: oil and water become instruments of healing and renewal for the human race."

Throughout the readings of today and yesterday, we are informed about how faith works: there is this connection that faith in us sparks with the power of the Divine, with Christ's power for healing and redemption. It was there also in the earlier reading of the Gadarene demoniac. Although he was occupied by a "legion" of demons, he worshiped Christ. Clearly, as my study bible points out, this power is shared with us where faith is present. It can work through oil and water, and all the things of our world, and of course through ourselves, through human beings. Where it is cut off, we observe, is in cases of jealousy and refusal for whatever reason. Either way, our faith is what determines where this power goes and what it does, where it is cut off and where it is limited. At least, this is what these stories about Christ in our recent readings seem to tell us. And there is more: we are offered this grace no matter what the obstacle. No one is cut off -- even one living among the tombs, occupied by a legion of "hostile troops" so to speak, in a desolate place among the unclean (in the Jewish perspective, where swine are raised), far away from the people of God. No one is exempt from this active offer of grace. Christ came to each of these people, to these towns, and He comes via His Apostles, the ones whom He has "sent out" (the literal meaning of "apostle") and invested with His power in order to spread His kingdom. And we still have that choice presented to us each and every moment. It doesn't really matter where we are or what are our circumstances. We recall St. Paul on the road to Damascus, a zealous persecutor of Christians. That grace makes itself present to us, it knocks on our door, it finds us in the most desolate of circumstances even among the dead, where we may be shackled in chains we can't see and know and no one else can help. This is what the Gospels tell us. Even when we are unable to help ourselves, help is available, a power has made itself present for us. But it comes to a willing heart. Our option is faith. In the Greek, we remember that faith is akin to trust, and trust is the true stuff of love. When we don't know who to trust or where to place that trust, there is always the One place our hearts can go to find His Way.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid, only believe." And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and she said to her, "Tabitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.

- Mark 5:21-43

On Saturday, we read of Jesus' arrival across the sea of Galilee, in Gentile territory. They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion, for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. Here we are again, back on the "home" side of the sea of Galilee, once again in Jewish territory. My study bible says, "Not all Jewish leaders were opposed to Jesus." It's important that the Gospels tell us so, and this includes prominent members of the Sanhedrin who would become key followers of Jesus and play a significant role in the story of His life. Here, once again we're back in the place where Jesus is known and His fame is spread so that the multitudes simply throng Him, as opposed to the desolate place He went and found the Gadarene demoniac in Saturday's reading. The leader of the synagogue is motivated by a great love for his young daughter, who is twelve years old, just on the verge of becoming a young woman. He puts his trust in Christ to help her.

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. Here the Gospel gives us a woman in contrast to the young girl. As opposed to the young girl full of the promise of a future life, daughter of the synagogue ruler, this one has spent all of her savings, "all that she had" and was no better, but rather worse! She has "suffered many things from many physicians." Her suffering and illness has lasted as long as the young girl's life. We can imagine her struggle simply for hope. The blood flow itself would take her out of community, making her unclean; we can surmise it is a source of shame and grief, something that isolates her from others in an unjust way.

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' " And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. Here's an interesting parallel: she feels in her body that she is healed of the affliction, just as Christ "knows in Himself" that power has gone out of Him. My study bible points out that "healing takes energy. Jesus is aware that divine energy had gone out of Him when He was touched. This power (Gr. dynamis) is a manifestation of the one, uncreated power of God, 'the power of God to salvation' (Rom. 1:16)."

But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." My study bible says here: "God's power or energy is available to people as grace from Him. Jesus says, Daughter, your faith has made you well, showing that while divine power healed her, the woman's faith participated in the healing." We note the word "affliction" used by Jesus, and again return to the metaphor running through Mark's Gospel of the oppressive rule that afflicts human beings, from which Jesus comes to liberate us. Here the root of affliction is to scourge or whip in a most painful way; the severe pain of disease or plague is indicated by this term as well. He restores her to peace as she is healed of her affliction.

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid, only believe." Here, my study bible says, "No situation is hopeless when Christ is present. As the woman needed faith to be healed, so these parents need to persist in faith, even now that their daughter's condition seems past hope." In today's lectionary reading, we also find a passage from Galatians 1 in which St. Paul writes, "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ." He is referring to the Gospel message that he felt was being distorted into a gospel of man. In today's reading we see illustrated a similar concept for us: the popular understanding is that Jairus' daughter is dead, there is no hope. But the revelation of Jesus tells us something else and asks of us (and Jairus) faith.

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. My study bible notes, "Peter, James and John: the inner circle of the disciples, on whose faith and understanding Jesus could rely."

Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a
tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said
to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but
sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. Here we have another example of what the crowds believe, as contrasted with the message of Christ. They ridicule Him.

But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother
of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child
was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and she said to her,
"Tabitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you,
arise." Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years
of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. But He commanded
them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something
should be given her to eat. We note again the emphasis on faith and what it does and what should be done for it. Jesus takes only His inner circle with Him. He puts "them all outside" -- all of those who ridicule His message, His revelation of what is happening here. Taking the child by the hand is an action that for me is very symbolic, it shows His action, His initiation of the healing, just as He took Peter's mother-in-law by the hand in an earlier reading. My study bible points out, "Jesus speaks Aramaic here, the spoken language of Jews in His time. Jesus commands demons and they obey, the stormy seas and they obey, and here, the dead and she 'obeys.'." It also notes that Jesus once again commanded silence to avoid misunderstanding. Sometimes, silence and mystery are necessary in order to preserve in truth the gospel message for the true time of its public revelation. Again, a paradox, something contrary to the beliefs of the crowds.

Today's reading teaches us all about faith, and how it connects us to a divine power, the energy of Christ. What we see in today's manifestations of faith are the private messages, the secret, hidden communication that goes on between Christ and those who come to Him in faith. First there is Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue who puts all his trust in Christ as he fears what will come to his daughter. And then there is the woman who trusts despite her seemingly hopeless condition that there is one thing that she can try, if she can only just touch the hem of His garment in that crowd. My study bible has a note that "Jesus never seems to be in a hurry, or ever interrupted from His mission. Here He attends to both needs. The woman goes away healed, Jairus is amazed and happy, and Jesus is not detained! Only God in the flesh brings such things to pass." But what we notice is the private faith that becomes (eventually) public doctrine. It all begins with that spark that makes a connection with Him and with His divine energy or power. In private, He heals the girl so as to avoid the crowds that ridicule and diminish the spark of faith in these people who hold on to hope despite what they hear. In private, she (the woman with the bloodflow) reaches out to touch Him, and He reveals her as His "daughter" to the crowds. We read in the Gospel the revelation of these things, the doctrine of Christ, the power and the spark of faith "even as a mustard seed" that grows into a gospel proclaimed to the world. So, how is faith revealed in you and to you? Does it start as a spark, despite the lack of hope a "worldly" view would point out to you? Do you nurture it in your heart? What private moments have turned to public joy? Let us consider faith and revelation, and remember that healing grace doesn't have to be proclaimed from the rooftops to prove its power, just nurtured as we are guided to do so.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My name is Legion, for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

- Mark 5:1-20

In yesterday's reading, we were told that after a day of preaching in many parables, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other
side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the
boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a
great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was
already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they
awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are
perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea,
"Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But
He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no
faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. My study bible points out about this passage: "The Gadarenes were Gentiles, so they could raise pigs, which were considered unclean by Jews." We are now on the "other side" of the sea of Galilee, in Gentile territory, where Jesus has instructed His disciples to go. He carries His ministry to the Gentiles.

And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a
man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and
no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been
bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. These tombs, my study bible says, were caves cut out of soft rock. We see the damaged and constantly damaging state of this poor man. He's wild, untamable and uncontrollable. This gives us a message about his state of being, that it is in chaos, like the wind and the wild surf in yesterday's reading. But in this case, it is a human being who is so terribly afflicted by disorder that he lives among the tombs, with the dead. He cannot control himself, not even with shackles and chains can he be in order at all. Night and day, he's in the mountains and in the tombs, outside of all civilized life, "crying out and cutting himself with stones."

When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out
with a loud voice and said, "What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of
the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me." For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!" My study bible says, "The deranged man worshiped Jesus; the demons see Him and fear torment. Not only are the demons unable to resist Jesus' command, they are unable to escape confrontation with Him. Though they have power over the man, they have no power over Jesus. Jesus' words accomplish in an instant what shackles and chains cannot." There's a kind of state of war going on within this man, a war for possession of his life, including his mind and heart: it is his own natural impulse to worship Christ. But the demons fear the same torment with which they afflict the man. Jesus comes to save and to heal.

Then He asked him, "What is your name?" And he answered, saying, "My
name is Legion, for we are many." Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. My study bible says that "out of the country perhaps reflects both the wretched man's fear of being compelled to leave his homeland and the demons' fear of being cast out of the man." It also seems possible to me that "out of the country" may reflect the demons' fear of being thrown out of the country of this place outside the city, where they dwell among the tombs, the rocks and desolate mountains, perhaps into Jewish territory. Whatever it is, this phrase reflects the great fear that accompanies their presence.

Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all
the demons begged Him, saying, "Send us to the swine, that we may enter
them." And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean
spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. My study bible says that "the destruction of the unclean swine was appropriate according to Jewish law." Mark gives us the number of the swine; this is a "legion" indeed. Their terrible violence gives us a clue as to the nature of this legion of unclean spirits; not only are they violent, they are wholly self-destructive and destructive of any life they touch. This mass suicide also reflects the deranged fear that dominates their presence.

So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city, and in
the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened.
Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed
and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they
were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who
had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to
plead with Him to depart from their region. My study bible notes: "They ('those who fed the swine') fear Jesus' power, which they do not understand, and possible further disturbance from Him. Their primary concern is with animals and property rights; Jesus is more concerned about the life of a demon-possessed man." The juxtaposition of the words here in these verses does give us a striking picture: the people who fed the swine "saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind." And then they were afraid.

And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged
Him that he might be with Him. However, Jesus did not permit him, but
said to him, "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things
the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." And
he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done
for him; and all marveled. My study bible notes here: "Jesus allows an exception to the messianic secret: this man may tell others. Perhaps in Gentile territory misunderstanding of Jesus' mission was not so much a problem, because the Gentiles had no preconceptions about the Messiah." At any rate, this saved and healed man becomes an evangelist and an apostle. Even before the Twelve, he is sent out to "tell what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you." He is, in this sense, sent on a mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles.

In the story of the Gadarene demoniac, there are once again many different ways of seeing and looking at this story, many different angles that can tell us something about this Kingdom of Jesus Christ. First of all, the man is in an absolutely terrible state, "occupied" by a legion of foreign troops in this sense, by those who care nothing for him but only exist to bring him destruction and to exploit him. He has no control over what happens to his body, his mind and spirit, but nevertheless he struggles under this occupation. He sees Jesus whom he knows immediately as a saving force, a power that can knock the demons over and claim their power and "save" him. He worships Jesus immediately. The metaphors of the strong man (or Legion in this case) and the stronger man who comes to save hold true for this story. But in another sense, we can see in this story an example of what this demonic power, this afflicting kingdom, does to us as human beings. It is parasitical. It thrives on fear. It leaves us afflicted, self-destructive, in disorder and chaos, and it thrives on this desolate place that it knows best and fears leaving. What things can you think of in our modern world that reflect these characteristics? While modern psychology and medical science may tell us many true things about the elements of disease and addiction that trouble us today, we also note their characteristics that are reflected in this story. There's no doubt that the truth about any illness is an essential part of healing and a cure, but we needn't leave out the obvious understanding that we are also spiritual beings, and that when anything reflects characteristics which we've recognized in spiritual history as that which belongs to an afflictive power, it helps us to understand what loving, and just, and saving power can and will do. We cannot leave out the grace of God, the spiritual truth of Christ. It helps us to recognize the insidious sort of power of affliction, that which binds us to what is familiar but destructive and desolate, and the kind of disorder it creates that needs the order of Logos, that which gives us meaning and value and right-relatedness, true justice. Let us remember the saving power of spiritual truth and prayer and grace at work. Without it, we may just find we are in a kind of disorder that only faith can help us to adjust back to our true nature, with all the tools we can use to restore our right-relatedness to assist, under a right and true direction. It is this grace that gives us the faith and hope even against a whole army, a legion, of troubles that afflict and oppress us.

Friday, January 25, 2013

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!"

- Mark 4:35-41

In yesterday's reading, Jesus taught: "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing
hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but
that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him
hear." Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same
measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more
will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever
does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him." Then He taught in parables: "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on
the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed
should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth
yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the
full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts
in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it
is sown on the round, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when
it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots
out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its
shade." And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able
to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when
they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us cross
over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude, they
took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also
with Him. Here, Jesus directs that His ministry set out in a new direction. To cross over to the other side of the sea (of Galilee) is to cross into Gentile territory. So far, He has spent His ministry in Israel (among the "people of God"), and it has spread to the Jewish establishment in Jerusalem, so that they are aware of what He is doing, and at this point seek to find something with which to accuse Him. We know of His great fame, reflected perhaps in the "other little boats" that were also with Him.

And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the
boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep
on a pillow. Here's something interesting, an obstacle in the way of His ministry. We take from this a lesson, that even if we are doing what God wants us to do, nature will not necessarily automatically cooperate -- it's not so that we won't find obstacles for one reason or another. And then, there is Christ, asleep in the stern on a pillow. We observe that He takes His rest where and when He can, and also His great calm in the midst of the storm!

And they awoke Him and said to Him, "Teacher, do You not care that we
are perishing?" Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the
sea, "Peace, be still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great
calm. But He said to them, "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you
have no faith?" His disciples awaken Him. They are not calm, at all! They think they're all perishing. My study bible points out that "the same Greek word (φιμόω) by which Jesus commands the storm to be still is used for His telling the demon to 'be quiet' in 1:25. As Lord of all, He commands all. In obedience, the storm subsides instantly and fully." The root of this word is "muzzle" so Jesus is truly showing who's in command by His expression of ordering silence and calm. But another rebuke is in store for the disciples: "Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?"

And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!" The Greek word for "fear" in this sentence is different from the one which Jesus used when He asked them, "Why are you so fearful?" In Jesus' question, the word means also cowardly, and it implies a lack of trust (the real root of the word for faith). In the word for fear here (as in "they feared exceedingly") is also the meaning of dread or reverence, and it can imply a kind of holy fear or even terror as if one is coming to terms with something awe-provoking and astounding that has been revealed.

In this boat on the sea, Jesus' identity begins to be revealed more strongly to His disciples. This is in this sense a private moment on the sea. They've left the crowds behind, and the followers are those in the little boats with them. Here, He's with the ones whom He's chosen so that they spend all their time with Him. The obstacle -- the chaos and violence of the storm -- works to teach them something. What inspires dread, awe and fear in them is the revelation of His great power, and the wonder of just who He really might be. This is something new, a manifestation of something beyond what they've known or understood. And we have to recall to ourselves the newness in this moment. There's also something reciprocal in this encounter, and that is the mutual astonishment of Jesus and the disciples. They are awe-struck by the power revealed in Christ even over wind and waves. But He, first, is astonished by their lack of faith, of trust. We go back to yesterday's parable about the mustard seed, and recall that in Luke's Gospel, Jesus will refer to the power in faith even the size of a (tiny) mustard seed. So here, in some sense, we have a mutual surprise: at the power of this man, Jesus, who reveals His divine capacities, and at the disciples, whose faith seems to be so small. It's an interesting encounter between the human and the divine, one in which we come to know ourselves better, and also the power that Christ brings into the world. I'm always astonished at what a little faith can do, and really, as to how little faith (and how much cowardice) I truly must have sometimes. It's a lesson to us about obstacles, and perseverance, and also about trust. We turn and turn again to Christ, we learn from our experience, and (hopefully!) grow in our faith.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear." Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him."

And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come."

Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the round, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade."

And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.

- Mark 4:21-34

In yesterday's reading, Jesus was again teaching by the sea. Such a great multitude was gathered on the shore to hear Him that He taught from a boat in the water. Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His
teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened,
as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside and the birds of the air
came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have
much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no root it
withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up
and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good
ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced some
thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about
the parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the
mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things
come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will
you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these
are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear,
Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their
hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they
hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no
root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when
tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they
stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones
who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of
riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and
it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold,
some sixty, and some a hundred."Also He said to them, "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or
under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing
hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but
that it should come to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him
hear." My study bible says, "Christ discloses truth, He does not hide it. His truth is like light, for it reveals all mysteries and exposes all secrets. That which is hidden is the Gospel, the presence of the Kingdom of God. The Gospel, at first a mystery explained only to the disciples, will be revealed to all (Luke 8:16-18). Everything done in secret will ultimately be revealed (Luke 12:1-3)." If we think about it, Christ Himself, in His full identity, is sort of "hidden in plain sight" among them, before the people. He is the Christ and He lives His life as such, yet without announcement. But here He promises us truth. He repeats again, as in yesterday's reading, the emphasis on our own capability to hear what is really there to hear, "If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."

Then He said to them, "Take heed what you hear. With the same measure
you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be
given. For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not
have, even what he has will be taken away from him." My study bible says, "A call to attentive listening and discriminating response, both requisites for understanding and experiencing the truth of Christ. We must not only hear but hear properly. More will be given to those who respond to Jesus with open hearts; they will grow in understanding. 'Do the good you know, and what you do not know will be revealed to you' (St. Mark the Ascetic, 6th century)." It adds: "Satan, not God, takes away the Word that was sown in hearts too hard to receive it [see yesterday's reading and explanation of the parable of the Sower]. But to those who are able to receive His Word, God gives even more." The other thing to note here is the reciprocal quality of Christ's teaching, which we will find often in the Gospels, referring again to our own initiative in discipleship, our responsiveness to His teachings.

And He said, "The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on
the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed
should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth
yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the
full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts
in the sickle, because the harvest has come." Here's a subtle kind of metaphor teaching us about this process, and referring to what's required of us on our part. The man scatters the seed, but it is a mysterious -- or, in our case, we should call it a mystical -- process by which the seed sprouts and grows. But we reap the harvest at the right time. My study bible says, "The kingdom of God is like the seed which by the power of God produces a harvest. This is an image of the mysterious working of the Kingdom -- beyond human measures and expectations. This parable appears only in Mark."

Then He said, "To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what
parable shall we picture it? It is like a mustard seed which, when it
is sown on the round, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; but when
it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots
out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade." My study bible has an elaborate note here: "The parable of the mustard seed contrasts humble beginnings with a bountiful crop. Jesus begins with poor fishermen, but in a few years the Christian faith will spread throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. The work of God may involve apparently insignificant people and circumstances, but the possibilities are limitless because of God's power. That being said, Jesus' followers must always be prepared for the 'long haul.' Jewish expectations in Jesus' day were for the Kingdom to appear suddenly and fully. But God's Kingdom takes time to grow and mature through adversity, and when it is fully formed it will be even greater than expected."

And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able
to hear it. But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when
they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples. Another note reads, "Jesus spoke in parables as they were able to hear. Had the people turned to God in their hearts, their understanding would have cleared. People are accountable even for what they do not understand." It also points out that on other occasions, He taught the people without a parable -- but here it is true, that He doesn't speak to the people without a parable.

We get, in today's reading, a gradual sense of revelation. Jesus starts out with His Galilean ministry, in the final few years of His life. Even His family are overwhelmed and believe He is beside Himself. But eventually, His identity is revealed and proclaimed. This is an action that expresses the images in today's reading, and it is just one aspect of the truth of these parables about the Kingdom. Just as my study bible pointed out that Jesus' parable of the Mustard Seed would prove true in the unfolding and spread of the Gospel and the Church, so we can see its truth in our own lives, and in countless other ways in which this mysterious process works. Whether out into the world, or else deeply within us, or in a kind of intersection of both, Jesus' parables about the revelation and spread of the Gospel and of His faith, building in us as a trust, holds true. The parable of the Mustard Seed is found in all three synoptic Gospels, and it is one that is very dear to my heart. Perhaps it's just this image of the birds of the air taking rest in its branches and under its shade that makes it quite tender and more than just a metaphor about growth. It also teaches us about the tenderness of the teachings of Christ. This isn't a kingdom that is going to overpower and overwhelm anybody; it is one whose power, at work within us, is dependent upon the spark of faith in our own hearts to initiate its power. It's one that initiates beauty and love and truth that speaks to us of offering shade even to the birds, a kind of parable hidden in the parable about the "mother" Church, its nurturing and its giving. Jesus tells us so much in a few simple words, and I can't even begin to touch upon all the meanings it holds and all the teachings it contains. Like a mustard seed itself, it contains so many things in its potentials that are still hidden, to be revealed, for us to discover. In this mustard seed is the strength of the sturdy shrub where birds of the air can nest, is the multiplicity and endless creativity and boundless life at work in the Spirit and the mysterious process by which it all happens. But the mustard seed is to be found in us, and Jesus also tells us of our faith as small as the mustard seed, and what that can accomplish. Let us remember the reciprocal nature of this Kingdom. It requires something on our part, and its great power does the rest.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no root it withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables, so that

'Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.'"

And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble. Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."

- Mark 4:1-20

In yesterday's reading, we read that so many people crowded into the house to hear Jesus that no one could even eat a meal. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind." And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub,"
and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called
them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot
stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot
stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he
cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and
plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he
will plunder his house." He told them, "Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and
whatever blasphemies they may utter, but he who blasphemes against the
Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal
condemnation" -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit." Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to
Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they
said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking
You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My
brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about
Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does
the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was
gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea;
and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea. In recent readings, Mark's Gospel has been making it very clear that Jesus is swamped by people; more and more are coming to Him. Here there are bigger crowds than ever. This sets the stage for something new to be introduced into Jesus' ministry and teaching.

Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His
teaching: "Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened,
as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside and the birds of the air
came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have
much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no root it
withered away. And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up
and choked it, and it yielded no crop. But other seed fell on good
ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced some
thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." And He said to them, "He
who has ears to hear, let him hear!" For the crowds that have grown so large to include all kinds of people, Jesus teaches in parables. Here, the central parable that begins our introduction to Jesus' teaching style: the parable of the Sower. My study bible notes that the Hebrew and Aramaic words for parable also mean "allegory," "riddle," or "proverb." It says, "The Scriptures, especially the Gospels, are filled with parables--images drawn from daily life in the world to represent and communicate the deep things of God. Parables give us glimpses of Him whose thoughts are not our thoughts and whose ways are not our ways (Is. 55:8,9)."

But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him
about the parable. And He said to them, "To you it has been given to
know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside,
all things come in parables, so that 'Seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand; lest they should turn, and their sins be forgiven them.'" In yesterday's reading, Jesus spoke about the importance of the perception of the work of the Spirit. Some (His relatives) thought He was out of His mind, some (from the religious establishment) attributed His healing powers (including exorcism) to the work of demons. He spoke of the condemnation of those who would blaspheme the Spirit, attributing the work of the Spirit to evil. Today's reading follows these teachings, and adds to them in the sense in which Jesus teaches us that some will perceive spiritual truth and some will not, and that this, in fact, is part of the purpose of His teaching in parables. My study bible identifies the mystery as "the reality of the presence of the Kingdom itself, revealed in Jesus and perceived by faith." It teaches: "The truth communicated by Jesus' parables, however, is not evident to all who hear them. One must have spiritual eyes and ears to hear, and even then there are degrees of understanding of the parables." (Indeed, Scripture will always give us new things if we have "ears to hear.") "Thus," my study bible says, quoting today's reading, "'to those who are outside, all things come in riddles.'" It adds, "Jesus' quotation of Isaiah 6:9-10 does not mean He used parables to blind the people or to lead them to punishment. On the contrary, it demonstrates that the people are responsible for their own receptivity: having grown dull and insensitive, they are unwilling to accept the message of the parables. As the mission of Isaiah in the Old Testament was to open the eyes of Israel to see the acts of God, so the parables of Jesus are given to open the eyes of His hearers to the truth, and to lead them to produce the fruit of righteousness."

And He said to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then will
you understand all the parables? The sower sows the word. And these
are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately
and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. These likewise
are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word,
immediately receive it with gladness; and they have no root in
themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation
or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they stumble.
Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the
word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the
desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes
unfruitful. But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear
the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and
some a hundred." My study bible has two notes on this passage: (1) "Discipleship requires both that we have a personal relationship with Christ and that we understand what He teaches" and (2) "The gospel of God's Kingdom is powerful, but our heart response determines its fruitfulness in our lives."

Perhaps what's most striking about Jesus' parables is their timeless quality, and perhaps their eternal and ever-present relevance to our lives. At any time, one may consider this parable, and His teachings about it to His own disciples, and find some relevance to one's own life and - most importantly - the spiritual condition in which one finds oneself at this time. Sometimes I've experienced any and each of these states of being in my own life and spiritual progress: there are times when I feel threatened and overwhelmed by some sort of tribulation, times when the word seems to have disappeared in me, times when the cares of the world seem to threaten what I hold dear in my heart. But the words remain true: we are to endure, and endurance comes through acceptance. This remains a truth for as long as we walk on this spiritual journey, and turn again to be healed, time and time again, trusting in His love. And the words of my study bible remain true and strike for me a chord of experience: that in His Person, in relationship, we come to an understanding that is rooted in the heart and that grows more deeply through time, within ourselves. This is the way that understanding comes, through relationship, through experience, and the insight we receive from walking with Him. So, what do you hear in this parable today? What do you see in His teachings for yourself? How does He teach you today?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

. . . and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind."

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub," and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.

"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation" -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit."

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him, and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother."

- Mark 3:19-35

In yesterday's reading, Jesus was swamped by people who came for healing from all parts of Israel, and beyond. Although He is in Galilee, they come to Him in such great numbers that He instructs that a boat be kept ready (as He was teaching by the sea) in case He might be crushed by the crowds. And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and
cried out, saying, "You are the Son of God." But He sternly warned
them that they should not make Him known. And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Then He appointed twelve, that they
might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, and to have
power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons: Simon, to whom He
gave the name Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of
James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, "Sons of Thunder";
Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed
Him. And they went into a house.jk

. . . and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house. The lectionary again gives us this verse, as it did in yesterday's reading. We are reminded that Jesus' life in this world will be plagued by the same things that ail and afflict us. He is here to share life with us, to teach us how to walk in this world as subjects of His Kingdom.

Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much
as eat bread. But when His own people heard about this, they went out
to lay hold of Him, for they said, "He is out of His mind." My study bible says, "His own people are His relatives, who do not yet comprehend Jesus and His mission." We've just read of Jesus' fame. Drawing great attention to Himself is not what His family is happy with; they think He is "beside Himself."

And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, "He has Beelzebub,"
and, "By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons." So He called
them to Himself and said to them in parables: "How can Satan cast out
Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot
stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot
stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he
cannot stand, but has an end. No one can enter a strong man's house and
plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he
will plunder his house. My study bible notes, "Jesus clearly is plundering the strong man, the devil, whose goods were the people he oppressed. Jesus' work brings total triumph. Not one demon is able to resist Him." Here we have a central metaphor to Mark's Gospel, about which we've spoken in several previous commentaries. His family cannot believe what they are seeing, and others respond in an even more vigorous way. Although there is no open announcement of Jesus' divine identity, the implications of what He is doing are clear, and there are those in the religious establishment who must denounce Him.

"Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men,
and whatever blasphemies they may utter, but he who blasphemes against
the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal
condemnation" -- because they said, "He has an unclean spirit." My study bible puts it thus: "The 'unforgivable sin' is the accusation that Jesus performs exorcisms by the power of a demonic spirit instead of the Holy Spirit. This is blasphemy." Jesus makes very clear our own receptivity regarding the work of the Spirit among us: it's a necessity that this work not be blasphemed or attributed to what is evil or against His Kingdom.

Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside
they sent to Him, calling Him. And a multitude was sitting around Him,
and they said to Him, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside
seeking You." But He answered them, saying, "Who is My mother, or My
brothers?" And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about
Him, and said, "Here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does
the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother." My study bible has two notes on the traditional understanding of this passage: "In the Greek patristic tradition, these brothers are identified as stepbrothers of Jesus, sons of Joseph by a previous wife. In the Latin tradition, they are seen as relatives, such as cousins." Still, in the Middle East, extended family are called "brothers." Another note reads: "Jesus is not necessarily belittling His mother and relatives. Who was more obedient to the will of God than Mary who said, 'Let it be to me according to your word' (Luke 1:38)? In effect Jesus is saying, 'Be like My mother. Do the will of God as she does.' In obeying God we become sons of God and brothers with other Christians -- spiritual relationships which are more valuable than natural ones."

Jesus leaves no doubt about the centrality of the Kingdom He has come here to bring. In today's reading, we observe first of all the response of His family, who can't quite grasp what is happening. Jesus' public ministry is something new in many, many ways. They can't understand what He is doing. Next comes the accusation from the religious leadership, that Jesus in fact performs His powerful healing miracles (and exorcisms) via the power of Satan. But Jesus puts this into context: How can Satan cast out Satan? Jesus is here to take the kingdom of the evil one, the "strong man" and thus He is something new. He is the "stronger man" bringing in a more powerful Kingdom. Finally, it is put into context when Jesus condemns those who blaspheme the work of the Spirit, making a clear statement of what He is truly about, and the power that is at work through the things He is doing that make all seek Him and come to Him who are bound with any affliction. And in that is contained a responsibility for each of us; how do we know this work, and recognize it among us? It is this recognition, and following its action in our own lives, that creates true community for us; in essence, forming in us the bonds that make us brother and sister to Christ, having in common a Father, as children by adoption. It is a clear statement of the centrality of this Kingdom, its power and its actions in our lives and in our hearts. How do you respond to the Spirit's work today for yourself?

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